Linda Taylor

I saw a Kindle for the first time this past weekend. To be honest, I really haven’t paid much attention to the hoopla about e-readers. I read on screen all day long at my computer and figured that for my own personal enjoyment, I would be reading books by my lamp and firelight in the evening, thank you very much.

I recently read an article in Slate titled “Fear the Kindle” with the tagline, “Amazon’s amazing e-book reader is bad news for the publishing industry.” And, since I work in aforementioned publishing industry, this caught my attention. Will this little piece of technology put me out of a job?

So this past weekend, I was speaking about the publishing industry to a group of students and professors at Houghton College. Part of my talk addressed the future of the industry and, of course, mentioned e-readers. Without a doubt, e-books will have a huge impact on the industry. However, I disagree that they’re “bad news” for us. I think they may just be good news all around.

I asked if anyone in the room had a Kindle. Sure enough, a young woman pulled one out of her purse. It was wrapped in a cover, and she opened it up to show it to me. This was the “older” version because the Kindle 2 has just been released by Amazon. Even though Kindle 2 is heralded in the Slate article as being “unlike its bulky predecessor,” it must be quite amazing for I found myself completely intrigued by Kindle 1, not finding it bulky at all.

She showed me how it works. The screen was not at all like looking at my computer screen, no backlighting to tire out my eyes. She scrolled through her “library” and explained to me that many classic works can be downloaded free from Amazon, with most other books being available for $9.99. She showed me how she can have several books going at once, and how to bookmark where you leave off (it looks like you’ve folded down the top corner of the page, something I would never do with my real books!).

She had me at “I have one.”

However, at this point the $359 price tag is a bit too high for me. I can buy a lot of books for that price. But I’m always several years behind the technology curve anyway; I know that I will have a Kindle (or a similar e-reader) eventually.

That’s not to say I’m giving up on books. I love books. Truly. I have shelves and shelves at home to prove it. I will always love the feel in my hands of a good book. But when I travel, I’m always faced with a dilemma about which book to bring along (inevitably I’m in the middle of a very heavy tome and don’t want to add it to my luggage). How terrific to toss in my e-reader and go—knowing I have a library of books to choose from, not to mention all the other features that these devices offer (or will soon offer).

As for the future of the publishing industry? I don’t think the e-readers sound the death knell. First of all, people will always continue to write books (even King Solomon knew that; see Ecclesiastes 12:12). Sure, the method of delivery may change, but books still need to be written, edited, revised, copyedited, and proofread—even if they’re going to an e-reader. Sure, more books may become available by way of self-published authors, but the gatekeepers at the publishing houses will still be making sure to publish quality material edited by professionals so that the books become their very best.

In fact, I think this very change could be a huge boon for the industry and authors alike. Maybe publishing houses will be more willing to “take a chance” on an expertly-written story by an unpublished newbie. The publishing house won’t need to expend their resources printing quantities of books that may come back. Instead, they can make the book available in e-book format only—once it’s sold, it’s sold. No pesky returned books. No lost money. And since e-books currently can’t be shared, if word of mouth should spread and someone else wants the book, he’ll have to buy it for download as well.

Not to mention how “green” this is. Fewer unsold books to destroy. And imagine if textbooks companies get on this bandwagon. Wouldn’t every college student love to have all their textbooks on one e-reader instead of breaking their backs in overloaded backpacks?

So I’m not afraid for my job. Writers will always have stories to tell and books will always need to be written. We in the publishing industry need to be here, honing our craft in order to find those stories and make them shine—whether it’s read between the covers of a book or on the screen of an e-reader.

Betsy Schmitt

Kids’ corner still strong

During tough economic times, such as the one we’re all going through right now, budget-trimming is the norm for most households. Extras such as premium cable stations, customized coffee drinks, magazine subscriptions, and other non-necessary items are the first to go. Then the cutting gets deeper and more serious. But when it comes to spending money on our children, and in particular, our children’s spiritual health and growth, parents are willing to spend.

Despite weakening sales in most book categories, children’s Bibles, Bible storybooks, and other related products continue to be strong sellers in the bookstores. Families will make certain sacrifices in difficult economic times, but they want to make sure that their children are well-grounded in God’s Word. Experts in children’s publishing agree that sales remain strong because parents value those products that will help their children build a strong foundation of faith.

As quoted in an article in Christian Retailers Feb. 6, 2009 edition, Laura Welch, editor in chief for New Leaf Publishing, said, “Even in the toughest economic times, the education and spiritual nurturing of children remains a priority for parents and families.”

And really, when you think about it, what better time to instill in our children the message of hope and where our true security lies? As we are instructed in Deuteronomy 6:7: “Repeat [these commands] again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again” (nlt). In other words, let’s use our current situation—whatever it may be—as teachable moments to encourage our children to trust God as our ultimate Provider.

What this means for those in publishing is that we have a great responsibility to get quality, biblically sound products to the marketplace at price points that won’t break the bank. Many publishers are answering that call by repackaging well-known titles with a fresh face. Others look to brands that carry great cache in the children’s arena, such as VeggieTales and Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends.

While those are certainly sound and relatively risk-free strategies, our hope is that others will also take advantage of this unique time and situation to produce products that teach children spiritual skills, disciplines, and values that they can employ throughout their lives. For example, now is the time to teach our children the value of money from God’s perspective—and then give them the tools and skills they need to manage what God has given them. Now is the time to help our children understand that while parents lose jobs, or families have to move, God is in control. Give them the Scriptures and the Bible stories to show them God can be trusted to provide and lead us through tough times such as these.

We have at our fingertips the very best source material to help our children grow to be responsible, caring, loving, and hopeful adults as we ground them in the truths of the Gospel. Rather than hunkering down and waiting out the economic storm, let’s be bold in presenting God’s Word to our children in fresh and creative ways, employing all new media and technology to do so.

After all, our children deserve it.

Houghton Rolls Out Curious George App for iPhone

Publisher’s Weekly

A “Curious” App Houghton Mifflin has broken new ground in offering children’s content for the Apple device with an app based on the August 2008 book Curious George’s Dictionary. The app, which will be listed under the Education category, marks the beginning of a larger push by Houghton to sell its children’s content as apps. —Betsy Schmitt

Grave expectations

Chicago Tribune

What Happened to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”? A recent article published in the Chicago Tribune details two authors’ take on the unrealistic expectations society, parents, and others place on young women. The result, both authors warn, is a generation of girls who are at risk for “depression, self-mutilation, eating disorders, violence, and suicide.” —Betsy Schmitt

New Pooh: A Preview of the Upcoming Sequel

Publisher’s Weekly

In the Please-Say-It-Ain’t-So Category Dutton Publishers is coming out with the first authorized sequel to the beloved children’s classics, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Are you like me and feel that some things are better left alone? —Betsy Schmitt

Green Marketing Defies Downturn

Advertising Age

Trends: As green values continue to make inroads into the consumer mainstream, in spite of the recessive economy, checking your publishing catalog for Christian, eco-friendly titles and content may be a good thing to do. The current green trend seems recession resistant this time, unlike ones in earlier years. This could be relevant for NPD.

Knowing Your Reading Markets

MediaPost

Marketing & Sales: As an editor, you know how important knowing your consumer is to publishing success. A new consumer category, or at least a new consumer term, is emerging: Consumer 2.0. Heard of it? Learn more about these people, their preferences, and how to reach them.

Less Than 1 Percent Have a Biblical World View

Christian Post

Trends: According to a recent study released by The Barna Group covered in The Christian Post, 18 to 23 year olds “rarely have a biblical worldview.” They report the number is less than one percent. Could this observation point out an under-served publishing niche and the need for more worldview Bibles and titles? Study and apologetic titles abound, but worldview products? This might have applications for NPD.